Patent US3748822A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3748822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for packaging individual slices of cheese
Assignee: Kraft Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-21
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1990-08-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for packaging articles such as slices of cheese or the like in individual flexible packages by advancing a flexible wrapping material and a series of articles to be wrapped into a wrapping station which causes the wrapping material to surround the articles to form a continuous tube after which the individual packages are sealed and severed. The apparatus forms a cuffed edge on one edge of the wrapping material and disposes the opposite edge of the wrapping material closely adjacent one edge of the cheese slice to effect an easy opening package which does not damage the article during opening.
Inventors
- 👤 H Borgardt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:28
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B9/00; B65B9/06; B65B2009/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
373 words
Apparatus for wrapping individual slices of cheese or the like including means for conveying a plurality of said slices in spaced aligned relationship along a first predetermined path, means for feeding a continuous sheet of flexible wrapping material along a second predetermined path, a portion of said second predetermined path being coextensive with a portion of said first predetermined path, cuffing means for folding one edge of said sheet back on itself to form a cuff, wrapping means located along the coextensive portions of said paths for causing said sheet to wrap around said slices successively to form a tube containing the slices in spaced relationship, said wrapping means further causing said cuff to overlap the uncuffed edge of said sheet in overlying relationship, and means for sealing said sheet transverse to its longitudinal dimension between adjacent slices to form a chain of individual packages, said wrapping means comprising in combination means for placing the central portion of said sheet in contact with a first face of each of said slices; a horizontal tapered shelf affixed generally on one side of said placement means; and means defining a groove and angled guide surfaces affixed generally on the other side of said pLacement means, said shelf being adapted to engage a portion of said sheet adjacent the uncuffed edge and to progressively fold same against and substantially covering the second face of each of said slices as they are conveyed so that said uncuffed edge lies parallel to and closely adjacent a first of two opposed side edges of each of said slices, and said means defining said groove and angled surfaces being adapted to receive and to guide the cuffed edge and adjacent portion of said sheet, said means defining said groove and angled surfaces being of a form that generally progresses at an angle both away from said second face of said slices and toward the second of said side edges of said slices in the direction of slice movement so as to restrain said cuffed edge and the sheet portion adjacent thereto from folding into overlying contact with said uncuffed edge and the sheet portion adjacent thereto until said uncuffed edge and adjacent sheet portion are fully positioned against said slices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
373 words
Apparatus for wrapping individual slices of cheese or the like including means for conveying a plurality of said slices in spaced aligned relationship along a first predetermined path, means for feeding a continuous sheet of flexible wrapping material along a second predetermined path, a portion of said second predetermined path being coextensive with a portion of said first predetermined path, cuffing means for folding one edge of said sheet back on itself to form a cuff, wrapping means located along the coextensive portions of said paths for causing said sheet to wrap around said slices successively to form a tube containing the slices in spaced relationship, said wrapping means further causing said cuff to overlap the uncuffed edge of said sheet in overlying relationship, and means for sealing said sheet transverse to its longitudinal dimension between adjacent slices to form a chain of individual packages, said wrapping means comprising in combination means for placing the central portion of said sheet in contact with a first face of each of said slices; a horizontal tapered shelf affixed generally on one side of said placement means; and means defining a groove and angled guide surfaces affixed generally on the other side of said pLacement means, said shelf being adapted to engage a portion of said sheet adjacent the uncuffed edge and to progressively fold same against and substantially covering the second face of each of said slices as they are conveyed so that said uncuffed edge lies parallel to and closely adjacent a first of two opposed side edges of each of said slices, and said means defining said groove and angled surfaces being adapted to receive and to guide the cuffed edge and adjacent portion of said sheet, said means defining said groove and angled surfaces being of a form that generally progresses at an angle both away from said second face of said slices and toward the second of said side edges of said slices in the direction of slice movement so as to restrain said cuffed edge and the sheet portion adjacent thereto from folding into overlying contact with said uncuffed edge and the sheet portion adjacent thereto until said uncuffed edge and adjacent sheet portion are fully positioned against said slices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
298 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said wrapping means further comprises a block overhead of said coextensive paths and adjacent said placement means in the direction of slice movement, said block having two opposed vertical sides, said tapered shelf being affixed to a first of said vertical sides of said block and extending horizontally below and tapering toward the second of said sides of said block in the direction of slice movement for causing said uncuffed edge and the adjacent portion of said sheet to progressively fold under said slices substantially across the entire underface of each of said slices; wherein said groove is U-shaped in cross section; wherein said means defining said groove and angled surfaces further comprise formed mounting plate means affixed to said second vertical side of said block, a generally horizontal ledge integral with said plate means and extending at right angles thereto under a portion of said block, flange means extending at an angle both downwardly and away from said plate means in the direction of slice movement, said flange means being integral with a leading portion of said ledge, a vertical first side wall integral with and extending downwardly from said flange, a second side wall parallel to said first side wall and being longer in the direction of slice movement than said first wall and joined thereto across the bottom of portions of said walls by cross partition means, and an angled surface integral with and extending from the top of the entire length of said second wall, said angled surface being inclined both upwardly and back toward said plate means to guide and restrain the portion of said sheet adjacent said cuffed edge; and wherein said means defining said groove and angled surfaces is shorter than said tapered shelf.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |